Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 17 December 2024
The General Body Meeting of the Andaman & Nicobar Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union was held at Shaheed Bhavan, Anarkali, on December 14, 2024. The meeting was presided over by Geeta Devi, President of the Union, while Treasurer Fulcaria Dung Dung welcomed the gathering.
Addressing the attendees, B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary of the CITU Andaman & Nicobar State Committee, urged all Anganwadi Workers and Helpers in the region to strengthen the Andaman & Nicobar Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union (CITU). He emphasized the need to mobilize collective efforts to press for their legitimate demands, including minimum wages, gratuity, and leave benefits. Highlighting the nationwide struggles by CITU-affiliated Anganwadi unions, Chandrachoodan called upon the workers to actively participate in countrywide agitations.
D. Ayyappan, Vice President of the CITU State Committee, echoed these sentiments, asserting that Anganwadi Workers and Helpers deserve fair wages to sustain their livelihoods. He pointed out that these workers not only run the Anganwadis but also shoulder responsibilities under various government welfare schemes. Citing court rulings, Ayyappan stressed that the workers are legally entitled to minimum wages and gratuity, blaming the BJP-led central government for neglecting these rights.
M. Yugander, Secretary of the CITU State Committee, also addressed the gathering, reiterating the importance of unity in fighting for the rights of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. Other prominent leaders in attendance included R. Surendran Pillai, President of CITU State Committee, and Secretaries P. Sathyapal and SP Kalairajan.
The meeting thoroughly discussed various issues affecting Anganwadi Workers and Helpers in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Key concerns raised included demands for gratuity, an increase in honorarium, timely payment of wages, minimum wages, leave benefits, and other welfare measures. Following the discussions, the general body resolved to organise a series of agitational programs across the islands to advance these demands.
Earlier, R. Anbukkarsi, General Secretary of the Union, presented a brief report on the functioning of the Union, highlighting its efforts and achievements. The meeting witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, particularly from Sri Vijaya Puram and rural South Andaman.
The event underscored the growing resolve among Anganwadi Workers and Helpers to fight for their rights and improve their working conditions.